Khan hopes to regain titles

ISLAMABAD - Amir Khan, former light heavyweight boxing champion from UK reached Pakistan on Monday to be the chief guest at the second Benazir Bhutto Shaheed International Boxing Championship currently underway at Liaquat Gymnasium.

Amir remained at Liaquat Gymnasium for more than three hours and witnessed his younger brother Haroon Khan’s bout, who opted to represent Pakistan in international events instead of England. While talking exclusively with TheNation on Monday, Amir said: “I am very happy to come to Pakistan and witness international boxers here in action and I am very impressed with the preparations and the facilities provided to the boxers.”

Amir praised Doda Khan Bhutto for putting tireless efforts to bring such a number of countries for the championship and said that by hosting this event successfully, Pakistan will get a big boost which will open the floodgates of international sports revival in the country. When this correspondent questioned Amir that his presence was not enough to stop Haroon from losing an important bout against Indian boxer, Amir replied that boxing is a day-to-day affair and some time you win and some time you lose. Haroon is working hard and he is sure that he will bounce back in style and will bring laurels for Pakistan in future events, he added.

About his future plans Amir said: “The decision on his appeal against rematch will be expected in January and after the outcome of the appeal he will decide about his future line of action. He is preparing hard and ready to roar and rematch at some neutral place under neutral referee will help him to regain his titles.” He stressed for providing maximum facilities to the Pakistani boxers and lauded the role of local coaches to bring them at par with international standard.